Student Murdered In Boulder Called A Hero

BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4/AP) – Police in Boulder have arrested a man in connection with the fatal shooting of a University of New Hampshire football player.

Kevin Michael McGregor, 22, of Longmont, was being held without bail Saturday in the death of 20-year-old Todd Walker of Edwards.

Police say Walker and a female friend were walking home from a party when a man approached them early Friday and struggled with them near the University of Colorado campus. The woman told police Walker jumped in front of her when he was shot.

Police say McGregor faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery and first-degree murder during the commission of another crime.

Kevin Michael McGregor (Boulder Police Department)

Police Chief Mark Beckner says a handgun that may have been used in the shooting was recovered from McGregor’s home.

“We are very pleased to have quickly identified and removed a dangerous individual from our community. My thanks to all who worked so tirelessly on this case and to the community for all of their assistance,” Beckner said in a prepared statement.

Walker was a star quarterback Battle Mountain High School in Edwards and was on the team at the University of New Hampshire.

“I’ve known him since he was 3 or 4 years old; great kid, good athlete, always smiling. He’s going to be missed,” family friend Jim Gannon said. “My son is taking it hard, as all his friends are. They were very close. It’s going to be a while and a lot of counseling to let these kids get through it.”

Gannon’s son was with Walker the night he was killed.

“According to my son he was the last one to say goodbye to him when he walked that girl back to her house,” Gannon said.

Hundreds of people showed up at Battle Mountain High School on Saturday to mourn Walker’s death.

“He risked his life doing something good. It’s really sad somebody like that can just die,” former classmate Daniel Chavez said.

In 2008 McGregor was arrested on burglary, aggravated robbery, assault and weapons charges. The same year he was also convicted of driving under the influence. In 2006 he was convicted of drug possession.

It wasn’t immediately known whether McGregor has a lawyer who could comment on his behalf. He’s due in court on Monday.